Nigerian Basketball

Newly promoted Futebol Clube Barreirense (LPB) inked American forward Demetric Austin (201-107kg). He just graduated from Dillard (NAIA). In 31 games he recorded very impressive stats: 20.6ppg, 8.4rpg and 2.1apg last season. Austin helped them to win GCAC Tournament and end the regular season at the top position. A very good season in his career as he All-GCAC All-Tournament MVP and voted to All-GCAC 1st Team and voted to All-NAIA D1 2nd Team.Of course it will be his first season in professional basketball.

Gani Lawal's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Nigerians playing currently abroad: - 3 days ago

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We bring you last week's top performances from Nigerians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. Giannis Antetokounmpo (211-G/F-94, agency: Octagon Europe) could not help the Milwaukee Bucks (36-32) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Milwaukee Bucks (36-32) lost 117-126 on the road to the Orlando Magic.
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GANI LAWAL

We bring you last week's top performances from Nigerians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

#1. This week's number one is former international power forward Gani Lawal (206-88, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Georgia Tech, currently plays in Argentina). He was the major contributor in a San Lorenzo's victory against the 15th-ranked Quilmes MP (9-17) 107-96 in the Argentinian LigaA last Saturday.
Lawal recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 10 rebounds.
San Lorenzo de Almagra (18-3) is placed first in the LigaA.
Lawal has relatively good stats this season: 11.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 2FGP: 81.8% and FT: 62.5%.
He has a dual citizenship: Nigerian and American.
Lawal played for the Nigerian senior national team five years ago.

#2. Second place goes to former international power forward Trevor Mbakwe (207-89, agency: Pensack Sports, college: Minnesota, currently plays in Italy). He could not help Fiat TO (12-9) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Mbakwe's very good performance Fiat TO was defeated 90-82 at home by the leading Umana Venezia.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting the same number of rebounds.
This season Mbakwe has relatively solid stats: 13.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 2FGP: 69.3%(79-114) and FT: 72.0%.
He is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.
Despite Mbakwe played previously for the USA university national team, he played also for the Nigerian national team in 2016.

#3. The Nigerian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (199-92, currently plays in Greece). Antetokounmpo contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Panionios (14-4) crushing them 97-53 in a derby game in the Greek A1 last Sunday.
He scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 23 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (19-0) is placed first in the A1.
So far his team won all nineteen games in the Regular Season.
It's Antetokounmpo's first season with the team.
This year Antetokounmpo averages: 7.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 2FGP: 63.0%(51-81), 3FGP: 22.7% and FT: 47.4% in 17 games he played so far.
He has both Nigerian and Greek nationalities.
Antetokounmpo played for the Nigerian national team two years ago.

#4. Forward Melvin Ejim (201-91, college: Iowa St., currently plays in EuroCup) was not able to help Unics Kazan (4-2) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his good performance the second-placed Unics Kazan (4-2) was defeated 91-81 on the road by the leading Bayern Muenchen in the group H of Eurocup.
Ejim was the second best scorer with 12 points. He also added 7 rebounds.
Ejim's overall stats this season are: 9.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.2apg and 1.2spg.
He also holds two passports: Canadian and Nigerian.
Ejim used to play for the Nigerian national team
back in 2012.

#5. An experienced international guard Michael Efevberha (193-84, college: CS Northridge, currently plays in Lebanon) led Beirut Club to a victory over the leader Al Riyadi (19-4) 100-88 in a derby game in the Lebanese LBL last Tuesday.
Efevberha was MVP of the game. He scored 37 points (!!!), had 5 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots.
Beirut Club (13-10) is placed fifth in Group A.
There are only three games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be critical.
Efevberha has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 21.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.3apg and 1.7spg.
Efevberha holds both American and Nigerian passports.
He plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

#6. Power forward Olaseni Lawal (208-86, agency: 3Eye, college: Wayne St., MI, currently plays in Italy) managed to help Scandone Avellino in a victory against the 14th-ranked New Basket BR (6-15) 89-71 in the Italian Serie A on Sunday night.
He scored only 3 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 14 minutes. It was his first game for Scandone AV this season.
His team is placed third in the Serie A.
Lawal holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Worth to mention Lawal played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. He is a former international player as he played for the Nigerian senior team two years ago.

#7. Former international swingman Stan Okoye (198-91, college: VMI, currently plays in Italy) was not able to secure a victory for Openjobmetis VA (8-13) in their game against Dolomiti En. TR (11-10) in the Italian Serie A. Despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game Okoye was the top scorer with 19 points. He also added 4 rebounds.
Okoye has reliable stats this season: 14.8ppg, 8.0rpg and 1.4apg.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Okoye used to play for the Nigerian national team
three years ago.

#8. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu (206-90, college: Wake Forest, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Portland Trail Blazers' victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-29) 113-105 in the NBA last Thursday.
He recorded 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 37 minutes.
The Portland Trail Blazers have a solid 42-26 record this season.
It was his team's 11th consecutive victory in a row.
Aminu's stats this year are: 9.1ppg, 7.3rpg and 1.1apg in 55 games.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Despite Aminu played previously for the USA U19 national team, he is currently in the Nigerian national team roster.

#9. Former international swingman Ebi Ere (195-81, agency: Two Points, college: Oklahoma, currently plays in Uruguay) helped Defensor win their game against the seventh-ranked U Universitario (1-3) 91-75 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB on Monday night.
Ere scored 11 points and added 5 assists.
Defensor Sporting Club Montevideo (3-1) is placed first in Places 1-8 group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game is very crucial.
This season Ere has very high stats. He averages: 22.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.7apg and 2.1spg.
Ere holds both American and Nigerian passports.
He used to play for the Nigerian national team
two years ago.

#10. Shooting guard Bryant Mbamalu (191-91, college: La-Lafayette, currently plays in Chile) was the main contributor in a Deportivo Valdivia's victory against the second-ranked AB Ancud (20-12) 85-80 in the Chilean Liga Nacional in Wednesday night's game.
Mbamalu was the best player in that game. He recorded 28 points (!!!) and grabbed 7 rebounds in 36 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Conferencia Sur. Club Deportivo Valdivia (20-12) is placed third in Conferencia Sur.
Mbamalu has very impressive stats this year: 20.9ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.9apg in 36 games.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Mbamalu is an international player who is currently on the senior Nigerian National Team roster.
He used to play for Lagos Warriors in Nigerian league.

#11. International forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-95, agency: Mansfield and Associates, college: Colorado St., currently plays in Italy) helped VL Pesaro win their game against one of league's weakest teams Betaland Cdo 84-81 in the Italian Serie A last Sunday.
Omogbo recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 3 blocks.
Omogbo averaged so far 10.9ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.4apg and 1.4spg.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Omogbo plays currently for the Nigerian national team.

#12. International power forward Lotanna Nwogbo (203-93, college: Longwood, currently plays in Chile) is a teammate of previously mentioned Bryant Mbamalu. But that was another game of his team in Chilean Liga Nacional which we would like to mention.
Nwogbo helped Deportivo Valdivia edge the second-ranked AB Ancud 76-74.
He was the top player that evening. Nwogbo scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Nwogbo averaged so far 14.0ppg and 5.8rpg in four games.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Nwogbo is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

#13. Former international point guard Josh-Emmanuel Akognon (180-86, college: CS Fullerton, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) couldn't help CB Canarias in their game against UCAM Murcia in the Basketball Champions League.
He scored 5 points in 7 minutes.
His team lost 72-83.
This year Akognon averages only 8.5ppg in two games.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Akognon used to play for the Nigerian national team
two years ago.

#14. Former international shooting guard Chamberlain Oguchi (196-86, college: Illinois St., currently plays in Argentina) helped Quimsa win their game against one of league's weakest teams Ferrocarril 106-91 in the Argentinian LigaA on Thursday night.
He scored 9 points.
Oguchi's overall stats this season are: 7.0ppg and 1.7rpg.
He used to play for the Nigerian national team
back in 2016.

#15. International power forward Talib Zanna (206-90, also represented by 3Eye, college: Pittsburgh, currently plays in Israel) couldn't help Ironi Nes-Ziona in their game against Hapoel Holon in the Israeli Winner League, despite his very good performance in Sunday night's game.
Zanna had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds in 36 minutes.
But his team lost 87-92.
Zanna averaged so far 13.3ppg, 8.2rpg and 1.2spg in 19 games.
He is also in the roster of the Nigerian national team.

The list of other players, who all have Nigerian passport but never been selected to any of Nigerian national teams:

#1.Giannis Antetokounmpo (211-G/F-94, agency: Octagon Europe, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Milwaukee Bucks (36-32) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Milwaukee Bucks (36-32) lost 117-126 on the road to the Orlando Magic.
Antetokounmpo had a double-double by scoring 38 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 7 assists and 3 steals in 40 minutes.
It's Antetokounmpo's fifth season with the team.
Antetokounmpo has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 27.3ppg, 10.1rpg, 4.8apg, 1.4bpg and 1.5spg in 64 games he played so far.
Antetokounmpo has a dual citizenship: Greek and Nigerian.

#2.Victor Oladipo (193-G-92, college: Indiana, currently plays in NBA) led Indiana Pacers to a 2-point victory over the Boston Celtics (46-22) 99-97 in the NBA on Sunday night.
He was MVP of the game. Oladipo scored 27 points (!!!), made 4 passes and 3 steals (went 5 for 5 at the free throw line) in 36 minutes.
The Indiana Pacers have 40-29 record this season.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
It's Oladipo's first year with the team.
He has very impressive stats this season: 23.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.2apg and 2.2spg in 63 games.
Oladipo is another player who holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

#3. Experienced Emeka Okafor (208-F/C-82, college: Connecticut, currently plays in NBA) led New Orleans Pelicans to a victory against the Charlotte Hornets (30-39) 119-115 in the NBA in Tuesday night's game.
He scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 26 minutes.
The New Orleans Pelicans have 39-29 record this season.
This year Okafor's overall stats are: 6.2ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.4bpg in 14 games.
He has both American and Nigerian nationalities.

#4.Chimezie Metu (211-F-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to USC's victory against the Oregon State University (7-11) 61-48 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 11 rebounds. Metu also added 2 blocks.
The University of Southern California has a solid 12-6 conference record this season.
His team will play only one more game in the NCAA Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
This season Metu has very high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.5apg and 1.8bpg.
Metu also holds two passports: Nigerian and American.

#5.Rasheed Sulaimon (193-G-94, college: Maryland, currently plays in France) was not able to help JDA Dijon (11-11) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Sulaimon's good performance JDA Dijon was defeated 94-90 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Monaco (#13).
He recorded 12 points.
Sulaimon averaged so far 14.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.1apg and 1.1spg.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.
Despite Sulaimon's Nigerian nationality, he previously played for the USA U19 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Nigerian team.

#6.Micheal Eric (210-C-88, college: Temple, currently plays in EuroCup) managed to help Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul in a victory against the closely-ranked Buducnost 78-71 in the Eurocup in Friday night's game.
Eric scored only 4 points in 12 minutes.
This year Eric's overall stats are: 7.8ppg and 5.7rpg in 18 games.

#7.Ike Joseph Udanoh (203-PF-89, also represented by Octagon Europe, college: Wayne St., MI, currently plays in VTB United League) was the major contributor in Astana's victory against the closely-ranked Khimki 84-79 in the VTB United League last Sunday.
He recorded 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Udanoh averaged so far 10.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.9apg and 1.3spg.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

#8.Ike Okoye (206-F/C-86, college: Boise St., currently plays in Argentina) was not able to secure a victory for San Isidro (14-18) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Okoye's very good performance San Isidro (#10) was defeated 74-59 at home by the second-ranked Hindu in the North group.
He was the top scorer with 17 points. Okoye also added 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists.
This season Okoye has very high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 9.5rpg and 1.5apg.
Okoye holds both American and Nigerian passports.

#9.Retin Obasohan (185-G-93, college: Alabama, currently plays in Germany) couldn't help Oettinger Rockets Gotha (4-19) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance Oettinger Rockets Gotha was badly defeated 89-72 in Ludwigsburg by the much higher-ranked EnBW (#3).
Obasohan scored 12 points, had 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists.
Obasohan averaged so far 13.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.8apg and 2.2spg.
He has Belgian and Nigerian nationalities.

#10.Danny Agbelese (206-F/C-90, college: Hampton, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Gipuzkoa in their game against Unicaja Malaga in the Spanish Liga Endesa.
Agbelese recorded 9 points and blocked 2 shots in 16 minutes.
His team was crushed by 26 points 114-88.
This year Agbelese's overall stats are: 6.7ppg and 3.6rpg in 21 games.
He holds both American and Nigerian passports.

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